The search is expected to be launched soon in order to find a new Town Administrator for Bloomsburg. It was to have started this morning, but the Administrative and Finance Committee of Town Council canceled their meeting. The town's last administrator Ronald Mull... lasted less than two months in the job... resigning last week... after an investigation was launched into alleged violations of town policy. Mayor Dan Knorr says hiring a new person is a high priority. For the time being... the town has extended the contract of former administrator Carol Mass who was expected to retire in January... but stayed on during the Mull transition.... and will be on the job until a new person is hired.

Primary / ID Law

We're only a couple of weeks away from the Pennsylvania Primary... and Columbia County is getting ready for a so – called “soft rollout” of the state's new voter ID law. Columbia County Chief Registrar Matt Rapasky says showing up with a picture ID isn't mandatory for the primary... but it will be nice to have. However, if there is no court challenge to the new law... you must have an governmental ID to vote in the November general election.

Rep. Heffley / Jobs Package

A package of legislation to boost job growth called “EmployPA” was put forth by House Republicans this week to help improve the Commonwealth’s business climate... and create more private sector employment opportunities. Rep. Doyle Heffley... a Republican from nearby Carbon County said the initiative is focused on making the state more economically competitive.

Slots March

If you went to any of the state's ten casinos... including Mohegan Sun near Wilkes – Barre... you would have seen March as a busy month. So much so... a spokesman for the PA Gaming Control Board said new records were established.... producing $233 – million in gross revenues.

Kids for Cash

Governor Corbett is expected to sign a bill requiring juveniles be represented by attorney at court delinquency hearings. The measure was sponsored by Senator Lisa Baker of Lehman Township in Luzerne County... and comes in the wake of the “Cash for Kids” scandal in which judges received boxes of money for sending kids to for – profit detention centers run by their friends. One key issue of the measure.... ending a practice that allowed juveniles to completely waive the right to counsel at the hearings.

First Night

There won't be any First Night event in Hazleton at the end of the year. Cuts in federal funding have forced the firing of Lena Kotansky as the city's economic development officer... and the organizer. And that means the end to Hazleton's tradition of holding First Night... a family friendly way to bring in the new year. It's been a part of the Hazleton landscape for the past 11 years.

Shickshinny Business

Two more businesses have opened in Shickshinny.... in Luzerne County. Our media partner... Newswatch 16... is reporting that a pizza shop wiped out by September flooding is now open... as well as a long – time Pool and Spa business. However, the Wells Fargo bank has been raised.... the company already installing an ATM machine. But, First Keystone says they'll have a new bank built by mid – summer.

Bob Mellow

Federal prosecutors says they don't want the public to see the specifics of what they have against former State Senator Robert Mellow... so they've moved to seal documents dealing with the case. Mellow was indicted on federal charges of using staffers to raise money for his campaign.. and for political work on the campaigns of other candidates. He plans to plead guilty on the charges later this month. In making the request... assistant US Attorney Francis Sempa says he wants the judge in the case to seal all documents... including the motion to seal. No word on when a decision will be forthcoming.

Copper Theft

An investigation is underway into the theft of copper plumbing and wiring from a vacant home across Route 11 from Zartman Construction in Northumberland County. The burglary took place sometime between the first of December and the middle of March... but wasn't noticed until this week. Authorities say the copper was feeding propane and cutting it could have lead to an explosion.

Arson Suspects

Two men... who are members of the Potts Grove Fire Department... accused of starting fires have had additional charges filed. A state police fire marshal has filed three additional sets of arson charges against 19 – year old Zane Snyder of Milton and 35 – year old Charles Jacobs of Lewisburg. Both were arraigned this week in Danville... and the pair could face additional charges for fires in East and West Chillisquaque townships in Northumberland County. Snyder and Jacobs remain lodged in the Montour County Jail.

WHLM Sports

BU Softball

Junior pitcher Kate Paine tied a school and PSAC record with 18 strikeouts to lead the Bloomsburg University softball team to a 5-0 win over IUP Tuesday. The Huskies also won the second game 8-0 to improve their record to 21-7. The Huskies play a doubleheader Friday at Lock Haven.

BU Baseball

The Bloomsburg University baseball team plays a doubleheader Wednesday at Clarion. The first game starts at 1 o'clock.

Women's NCAA Championship

In the women's NCAA basketball national championship game last night in Denver... Baylor became the first NCAA basketball team... women or men... to complete a 40 and nothing season by defeating Notre Dame 80 to 61 last night. The Lady Bears were paced by 6-8 junior center Brittney Griner.. the national player of the year.

Major League Baseball

In a major league baseball regular season opener Wednesday night in Miami, the Marlins play the defending World Series champion St. Louis Cardinals. It will be the first game in the brand new Marlins Park. The Phillies season opener is Thursday afternoon at Pittsburgh. That game will start at 1:35. You can hear that game and every Phillies game on News radio 930, 94.7 and 104.3 & Berwick's 1280.